Moab's main street has lots of bike shops, jeep and 4WD rentals, and other types of shops that cater to adventurers, as well as quite a few cute restaurants and coffee shops. Oh, and art galleries. This relatively small town also has not only a quilt shop, but a yarn shop as well! I had fun shopping here! Tom was very patient, and after the little shopping spree, we had a delicious lunch at the Peace Tree as a bit of a reward.
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| love the peace sign on the burger roll-haha |
It was a cold and blustery day, but since it was still early in the afternoon and the weather predictions for the week didn't sound too great, we decided to head out to Dead Horse Point State Park. The views driving were beautiful, with the colors enhanced with the filtered light from the clouds. Really did look like a painting. The clouds broke every once in awhile, and it seemed like a different day. We were hoping the weather would hold up, but more and more the clouds were drifting through and the snow spritzing.
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| a picture? |
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| Heading to Dead Horse |
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| looks a bit like Monument Valley right here |
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| a little snow squall drifting on by |
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| the roads are long and shared with cows...open range here |
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| the mountains getting obscured with the snow squall |
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| traffic jam |
Once we arrived at Dead Horse Point State Park, we checked out the Visitor Center and asked about the rim trail to the point. It sounded doable for me, the big chicken, and after watching the informative movie, off we went. Right from the start, the views were breathtaking.
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| behind the Visitor Center...the start of the trail |
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| the views are amazing |
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| close up |
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| see the river? |
The pavement ended soon, and the dirt trail began. Walking through the desert environment is really beautiful. It almost seems like plants have been planted with care, and separated so they can grow. Its the natural environment though. Very interesting. We don't see overgrowth anywhere in the desert. Needless to say, the views all along the way were just beautiful.
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| the trail is paved near the Visitor Center |
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| evaporation ponds down there |
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| the actual trail starts here...hope its not too close to the rim |
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| heading out |
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| sweet |
Lucky for me, the trail wasn't right along the edge there. It was actually very pleasant and not "scary" at all. Except for maybe one little part. Ha!
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| amazing views |
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| moving along |
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| the light changed so much...with the clouds and snow |
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| come on Susie...its a little chilly here |
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| such beautiful colors too |
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| trail was pretty flat here |
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| loved the desert environment |
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| the ecology is so cool |
The afternoon never got out of the 30's-it really was quite raw. The sun felt great when it peeked through the clouds. It was nice and refreshing!
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| another fantastic view |
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| new one |
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| life in the desert |
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| can't stop checking out the views-they are fabulous |
Before long, we reached Dead Horse Point. The legend goes like this: The cowboys would wrangle wild horses and corral them at the point. They would take the horses they wanted, and the ones they didn't want, were just left there to starve. Since there was no water there, and that nice river flowing below, the rumor goes that some of the horses went after that water. Right over the edge! Again.....this is a legend. (I chose NOT to believe that little bit of cruelty)!
The walk over to the point was really really pretty-the views, the plants, the sky, everything!
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| see the people on the point? |
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| ready? |
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| such cool stuff here |
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| and the desert is really pretty, by the way |
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| another nice shot |
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| we think the wood fence was the "corral" |
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| heading up - almost there |
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| gorgeous |
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| the views are amazing no matter where you look |
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| we can do this |
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| not easy being me |
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| part of the river...look at that landscape! |
Anywho....the point has a great view of the gooseneck of the Colorado River flowing through the Red Rocks. Its a sight to see. The power of water! And the colors are fantastic.
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| the money shot from the overlook |
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| amazing |
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| very cool ...literally! snow flurries are flying |
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| looks like a 4WD road down there |
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| the river meanders |
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| so green by the river |
Heading back, we enjoyed more views, which really change with the light. Being that it was a cloudy, snow squally day, we had a treat as far as the views go!
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| heading back to the trail....enjoying the blooms |
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| the corral? |
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| do you think we can beat the weather? |
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| pretty...if you stop and look |
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| another beautiful view |
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| going up |
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| enjoying the colors |
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| pink and green |
We have been passing cows all along the roads out here since there are a lot of "open ranges". Its spring and there seem to be a ton of babies. They are just adorable. Some of these looked like newborns. I could be vegetarian!
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| we see you cutie! |
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| these look like newborn twins |
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| aawww...how old are you? |
Heading back, we were thankful the weather held out and did not affect our trip to Dead Horse Point. The rain/snow is coming though! Good thing I have a few more projects to work on:)
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| driving through a postcard! |
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| again |
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| heading back to camp, with a view of Arches from a distance! |
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| huge train...has to do with uranium mining clean up? |
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| our campground over the hill but before the snow-capped mountain |
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